NO NEW INFO ON PLANS FOR MONTGOMERY FAIRGROUNDS

Premier Health, University of Dayton expect to close on deal after state transfers canal lands.

Premier Health and the University of Dayton are expected to close on the Montgomery County Fairgrounds sale thismonth,thoughdetailsareslim on what the two organizations intend to do with the acreage.

Possession of the land is expected to switch to Premier Health and UD in October after the historic fair’s last run. But 16 weeks since announcing their intent to purchase the land, officials with the nonprofits have offered few clues into their plans, though major hurdles have been cleared in the execution of the $15 million deal.

“PremierHealthandtheUniversity of Dayton have no additional information to share about the redevelopment of the fairgrounds at this time,” said Ben Sutherly, a Premier Health spokesman, said by email Monday.

UD officials discussed vague plans for the property in December, at the time stating the purchase of the land reinforced the school’s commitment to GE Aviation and Emerson Climate Technologies. The two corporations on university property have major, visiblepresencesonStewartStreet across from the fairgrounds.

AndwhileUDofficialsinDecember ruled out building a new basketball arena on the property, UD President Eric Spina did not rule out a joint-venture with Miami Valley Hospital, such as a medical-educational facility for the university, which does not have a medical school.

Meanwhile, a major obstacle to the deal’s completion was overcome last week when Gov. John Kasich signed off Friday on a transfer of canal lands on the property.

Originally, officials with the Montgomery County Agricultural Society anticipated the request to transfer the land could take weeks.TheDaytonDailyNewsfirst reported about the issue Wednesday, and the matter was closed by Friday.

“We heard about this issue and received these documents for the very first time” Thursday morning, said Emmalee Kalmbach, a Kasich spokeswoman, “despite that, because we understand how important this is to the community,weturnedthisaroundinaday and have approved the request.”

Ohio Auditor Dave Yost and Sec-